Washing machine



July 27 ,1926.- 1,594,188

A. w. ALTQRFER I I WASHING MACHINE Filed May 4, 1922 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 I INYENTBR.

July 27 1926.

-A. W. ALTORFER WASHING MACHINE '7 Sheets-Sheet -2 Filed May 4, 922

July 27 1926.

A. W. ALTORFER WASHING MACHINE 1922 '7 Sheats-$heet 3 Filed ma 4,

lnvzm'rma.

July 27,1926. 1,594,188

A. W. ALTORFER WASHING MACHINE Filed May 4, 1922 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 l i q o 1 W w w g 0 N o 2' l s 5 a Q & 1 Q4} L a a b :1 I

"gs" V I a, K m

N x 1 R H. X

I X 1 2 Q mi E 2 U w w O a 1 3 I 3 2 lb" i: R l

m w 13. I Z

&

N .IHVEIHTER. 0 NM W h 1 i July '27, I926. 1,594,188 A, W. ALTORFER WASHING MACHINE Filed May 4, 1922 '7 Sbeets-Shet 6 I A. w. ALTORFER July 27 1926.

WASHING MACHINE Filed May 4, 1922 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 luv-Extras. dyzu- ,lw

Patented July 27, 1926.

UNITED STATES PATENT ALPHEUB W. ALTORFEB, OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR '10 ALTORFER BRDEE. QM- PANY, OF EAST PEORIA, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

WASHING MACHINE.

Application filed ma 4,

This invention has reference to washing machines and relates particularly to that type of machine intended for domestic use in the home. a

The invention has for its principal object to improve machines which embody oscillating tubs as the clothes container, in the provision of an operating mechanism by means of which the tub is oscillated without the use of balance springs, noiseless, and so balanced in relation to the tub that there is absolutely no jar to the machine, or jiggling, as is the case in many machines of this type.

A machine embodying the fundamental principles herein involved is disclosed in my pending application bearing Serial No. 530,012, except that such machine embodies only a single oscillating tub or clothes container, whereas in the present disclosure the oscillating tubs are arranged in multiple and an operating mechanism arranged to be actuated from a single motor is provided for oscillating both tubs or containers, and such mechanism is so arranged that the tubs may be oscillated simultaneously or independently, so that when one tub is in operation the other tub may be emptied or filled with clothes, and vice versa.

The invention comprehends a cabinet or casing in which may be assembled the multiple tubs and operating means therefor from a single motor.

The invention further comprehends a wringer operating mechanism disposed intermediate the multiple tubs and means for actuating. the same from the primary transmission of the machine. Such wringer operating mechanism includes planetary gearing, wherein the planet gear wheel is carried one short shaft geared direct to the reverse mechanism for the wringer and removable with such reverse mechanism when it is desired to detach the wringer from the machine. v

Other objects will more fully-appear in the following description taken in conn ction with the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which Figure 1 is a view illustrating one end of the machine, the wringer support being broken away and the rinse water rest or shelf in supporting position;

1922. Serial No. 558,410.

Figure 2 is a side view of the machine looking at the right hand side of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an elevation, partly in section, as the same would appear if the machine, Figure 2, was separated midway its ends looking from left to right, the wringer being shown in dotted lines, receded from normal or operative position to a position out of the way when the machine is not in use;

Figure 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view, as the same would appear, it taken on the line H Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a plan view, partly in section, as the same would appear, if taken on the line 55 Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a detail in elevation, partly in section, as the same would appear if taken on the line 6-6 Figure 5, the oscillat ing tub bein shown in dotted lines and in diiierent positions;

Figure 7 is a detail sectional view of certain operating parts, and as the same would appear if taken on the line 7-'?' F2 re 5;

Figure 8 is a detail in elevation s owing the wringer support;

Figure 9 is a sectional detail of a part of the wringer support, operating means and planetary gearing, and

Figure 10 is a cross-section in plan as the same would appear if taken on the ins 10-10 Figure 9.

Like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the figures.

The frame and caaing.-This includes the end supports 1, 1 and the intermediate and abutting supports 2, 2, preferably made of dill tiil

angle-iron and with the exception of one support 2, each is bent into the form off inverted U, see Figures 1 and 3, but with the upper arcuate end of each su port resent" bling more an inverted V, which not only makes a savin in material, but which also beautifies the rame. The upper part of one support 2, see Figures 2 and t is out or omitted to make provision for the wringer support, to be described. To the tower end of each le of the end supports 1, l, is secured a brac et 3 carrying a caster-wheel 4 to make the machine portable and for ease and convenience in moving the machine from fplace to place. The corresponding legs 0 the supports 1, 1, are connected and braced by the angle-iron here 5, and the lower ends of the legs of each end support 1 are connected and braced by the angle-iron bars 6 which have their opposite ends connected to the angle-iron bars 5. The lower ends of the legs of each intermediate support 2. are connected and braced by the angle-iron bars 7 which have their opposite ends also connected to the angle-iron bars 5. Other cross-braces employed as supports and braces for the frame are designated 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 respectively, best seen in Figure 5. The sides of the machine are closed by panels 14 and the ends of the machine are provided with panels 15. The end panels are purposely omitted from Figure 4 and all panels are purposely omitted from Figure 5. Included in the frame structure are the bearing frames 16 and 17 and the platform 18 serving as a support for a motor 19, preferably an electric motor.

Tub or clothes c0ntainer.-These are designated 20 and are preferably arranged a in multiple. Being of the oscillating type of substantially the same construction as the tub described in my pending application Serial No. 530,012 it is unnecessary to further describe the same here; To the side walls of each tub are secured castings 21 preferably in the form of spiders, as shown, with trunnions 22 carried in bearings 23 removably journaled in cup seats formed in brackets 24 secured to the supports 1 and- 2 respectively, see Figure 4. The brackets 24 secured to the supports 2, see Figure 4, are larger and stronger than those secured to end supports 1 on account of the strain due to the thrust of the operating means for imparting oscillatory movement to the tubs.

Operating me0ham'sm.-The motor 19 reviously referred to is equipped with a It wheel 25 for driving a belt 26 which imparts rotation to the larger belt wheel 27 carried on one end of a driving shaft 28 to the opposite end of which is -secured the small gear wheel 29. Meshing with and driven by the wheel 29 is a larger gear wheel 30 carried on a counter-shaft 31. 32 designates a rocker shaft journaled in suitable bearings on the frames 16 and 17, see F i ures 5 and 7, the adjacent bearings of eac frame being preferably provided with a clutch seat or socket 33, for pur -)ses to be exp ained. Pinned or otherwise suitably secured on the shaft 32, at its opposite ends are sleeves 34 an". 35 and to the outer end of the sleeve 34 is connected a crank arm 36, while the inner end of each sleeve has an enlargement 37 provided with diametricall opposed sockets 38, for purposes to be explained. To one end of the counter shaft 31 is connected a crank-arm 39 and connecting the crank-arms 36 and 39 is a rocker arm 40.

The motor 19 having been connected with a source of power in the usual way, motion is imparted to the driving shaft 28, which in turn imparts motion to the counter-shaft 31, and it in turn imparts a rocking .motion to the sleeve 34, the shaft 32 and the sleeve 35, through the rocker arm connection 40.

To impart oscillatory movement to the tubs 20 there is pivotally connected to a casting 21 of each tub a preferably vertically disposed reachbar 41, which at their lower ends have a pivotal connection with crankarms 42, each formed on or connected to a clutch sleeve 43 slidable on the rocker shaft 32 between the respective sleeves 34 and 35 and the bearing members having the clutch sockets 33, see Figure 7. Each sleeve 43 is formed with an annular groove 44, and also With a laterally projecting clutch lug 45 adapted to have clutch connection with a clutch socket 33, and also with clutch pins 46 adapted to have clutch connection with the sockets 38 in the ends of the respective sleeves 34 and 35. Engaging in the groove 44 of each clutch sleeve 43 is a shifter-arm 47 secured to the lower end of a rockable rod 48, the lower ends of which are journaled in the respective frames 16 and 17 see Figure 5, and their upper ends journaledin brackets 49. A lever 50 is secured to the upper end of each rod 48 for rocking the same in their bearings, whereby the clutch sleeves 43 may be moved back and forth on the shaft 32. The reach bars 41 are long and flexible allowing for the shifting of the sleeves 43, as will be understood.

The position of the shaft 32 in the frame and the normal positions of the crank-arms 42 and the connection of the reach bars 41 therewith and the tubs 20 is such that said reach bars assume an approximately perpendicular position, which gives a straight up and down thrust in operation, resulting in a very smooth oscillation of the tubs 20 and without jar to the machine. The power conne t 11 between the tubs 20 and the transmission is made through the clutch sleeves 43. When said sleeves are in the position 3hown in Figure 7 with the lugs or pins 46 inserted in the sockets 38 of the sleeves 34 and 35 and the sleeve-34 is oscillated or rocked, such movement will be imparted through the shaft 32, the sleeves 43 and reach bars 41 to the tubs 20. By shifting the sleeves 43 toward each other, their clutch lugs 45 are caused to be inserted into the clutch sockets 33 of the frames 16 and 17, which will lock the clutch sleeves 43 and the crank-arms 42, as well as the reach bars 41 against movement, holding the tubs in clothes receiving or removing position, shown in Figure 1, whereas the shafts 28, 31 and 32 may continue to operate, so long as the motor is connected to a source of power, without the tubs being disturbed. This condition remains until one or the other or both sleeves 43 are again moved into the positions shown in Figure 7, clutched to the sleeves 34 and 35. The control mechanism for each tub is located approximately midway the ends of the machine and convenient for the operator or attendant using the tubs, and is so arranged as above fully explained that one tub may be oscillated when the other is idle, and vice versa, or both oscillated at the same time. lVhile two controls are shown and preferable, it will be observed that a multiple machine is provided which is simple and convenient in construction and only one motor and transmission necessary for operating the two tubs.

Rinse tub support.This is best seen in Figures 1 and 2, although partly illustrated in Figures 3 and 6. Said support comprises the shelf 51 hinged at its opposite ends to brackets 52 connected to the end supports 1, and the le s or braces 53 pivotally connected to said she f and having their free ends preferably provided with V notches 54, see Figure 1. The panels 14 adjacent the end supports 1 are cut away, as at so that when the shelf 51 is in supporting position, see Figures 1 and 2 the notched ends 54 of the legs or braces 53 engage the bar or brace 5. To lower the shelf the legs or braces 53 are raised to disengage them from the bar or brace 5 and then passed through the cut away portions 55 of. the panel 14 and into the machine or cabinet, permitting the shelf 51 to be lowered down against the side of the cabinet, see dotted lines Figure 1. Rinse tubs A are shown in full lines in Figure 1 and dotted lines in Figure 2.

The tin-anger (having meckam'sm.-Th wringer support includes the preferably tubular standard or casing 56 which is located intermediate the tubs 20 and preferably extends up and alongside a support 2, the other and ad acent support 2, see Figure 2, being cut away to accommodate the same. Said support having ears 57 that it may be bolted to a support 2 and other ears 58 that it may also be bolted to the cross brace bar 11 of the frame, see Figure 3. Also a casting 59 havin a tubular leg 60 fitting in the upper end 0 the standard or casing 56, see Figures 8 and 9; said castin formed with or having connected thereto a racket 61 to support the wringer B shown in dotted lines in Figure 3.

Journaled in the standard or casing 56 and terminating near the top thereof is a shaft 62 on the lower end of which is a bevel gear wheel 63 meshing with a bevel gear wheel 64: on the counter shaft 81, see Figure 5. On the upper end of said shaft 62 is yieldingly and slidably held a clutch sleeve 65, the same being longitudinally slotted, as at 66 to receive a pin 67 in the shaft, and yieldingly held in acting position by a spring 68 coiled on said shaft 62. The

upper end of the standard or casing 56 is enlarged, as at 69 to receive the leg 60 of the casting 59, and said enlargement is flanged, as at 70, and said flange formed or provided with a plurality of radially arranged slots 71, for a purpose to be explained. The casting 59 is formed or provided with a shaft bearing 72 oil-set from the leg 60 to provide for planetary gearing to transmit motion from the shaft 62 to the .rolls of the wringer B. This gearing includes the gears 78 and 74, the latter being the planet gear which revolves around the gear 73 when the wringer is swung to different positions. The gear 73 is secured to the upper end of a shaft 75 journaled in the leg 60 and on the lower end of said shaft 75 is secured a clutch sleeve 76 arranged to have clutch connection with the sleeve on the shaft 62. The planet gear 74 is secured to the lower end of a short shaft 77 journaled in the shaft bearing 72 of the casting 59 and to the upper end of said shaft 77 is connected a bevel gear wheel 78, arranged to be clutch connected to the wringer shaft 79 in a manner well known in the art, The casting 59 with the wringer B and the leg 60 is removable and therefore detachably connected with the upper end of the standard or casing 56 and when the casting is swung to differ ent adjusted positions may be locked by a pivotal key 80 inserted into either of the slots 71 in the flange of the standard 56, as will be understood.

\Nhile I have shown and described the preferred form and manner of constructing and operating the machine, it is obvious that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details, except as stated in the appended claims.

lVhat I claim is 1. In a washing machine, in combination, a frame, a pair of tubs journaled for oscillation in said frame, a rockable member journaled in said frame, means to rock said member, spaced shiftable clutch members arranged for connection with said member, operating connections between each clutch member and a tub, means for moving said clutch members into and out of clutch connection with said rockable member, and means for locking each clutch member in declutched position, independent of each other, for locking said tubs against oscillation.

2. In a washing machine, in combination, a frame, a pair of tubs journaled for oscillation in said frame, a rockable member journaled in said frame, means to rock said member, spaced shiftable clutch members arranged for connection with said member, a crank-arm connected with each clutch member, reach bars connecting each crankarm with a tub, means for movin said clutch members into and out of clutc connection with said rockable member, and means for locking each clutch member in declutched position, independent of each other, for locking said tubs against oscillation.

3. In a washin machine, in combination, a frame, a air of tubs journaled for oscillation in sai frame, a driving shaft, a motor 0 eratively connected to said shaft, a rocka le member, means for rockin said member from said shaft. spaced shi table clutch members arranged for connection with said rockable member, operating connections between each clutch member and a tub, means for moving said clutch members into and out of clutch connection with said rockable member, and means for locking each clutch member in declutched position, independent of each other, for locking said tubs against oscillation.

4. In a washing machine, in combination, a. frame, a pair of tubs journaled for oscillation in said frame, a motor, operating means actuated by said motor for oscillating said tubs simultaneously or independently, said operating means including a rockable shaft, a pair of sleeves secured on said shaft each provided with clutch sockets, clutch members slidable on said shaft each provided with means adapted to enter sockets in a sleeve for clutching said clutch members to said shaft, and means for locking each tub against oscillation when the clutch members controlling its operation are out of clutch relation with said shaft.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto aiiixed my hand this 1st day of May, 1922.

ALPHEUS W. ALTORFER. 

